January 2013

January 31, 2013

The attorneys for right fielder Nelson Cruz have issued a statement saying that any allegations that Cruz used performance-enhancing drugs, as reported by the Miami New Times earlier this week, are false.

"We are aware of certain allegations and inferences," Cruz's law firm, Farrell and Reisinger, said in a statement given to The Associated Press. "To the extent these allegations and inferences refer to Nelson, they are denied."

Cruz was one of six major-leaguers and five All-Stars whose names appear in the personal records of Anthony Bosch, the head of a South Florida anti-aging clinic, as uncovered by the New Times. Cruz, nicknamed "Mohamad" by Bosch, is noted to have spent $4,000 last season for products that include a testosterone-laced lozenge.

Cruz is facing a 50-game suspension if an independent Major League Baseball investigation reveals that he possessed PEDs. A failed drug test is no longer the only way a player can be suspended.

The Rangers have made no further comment since Tuesday, when they acknowledged that they had been contacted by the New Times last week and then contacted MLB. But they are aware that a suspension is a possibilty.

In the meantime, Cruz is allowed to participate in all baseball activities. The first full-squad workout of spring training is Feb. 16 in Surprise, Ariz.

January 29, 2013

The Texas Rangers are selling seats that will be removed during the renovations of the Ballpark. They're $375 for a pair with proceeds going to the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. Presale orders can be made here.

Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz is one of several players mentioned as a client of an alleged dealer of performance-enhancing drugs in report published by the Miami New Times.

The report details that Cruz, who was nicknamed Mohamad by the head of an anti-aging clinic in Miami, purchased $4,000 of supplements as recently as July 2012. The clinic's chief, Anthony Bosch, wrote in his ledger about Cruz, according to the report, "Need to call him, go Thur to Texas, take meds from April 5-May 5, will owe him troches and... and will infuse them in May."

"Troches," the report states, are lozenges that are 15 percent testosterone. Major League Baseball recently has stiffened its testing for testosterone after multiple players were caught with elevated amounts of it in 2012.

The Rangers released the following statement:

"The Texas Rangers were contacted late last week by Miami New Times regarding the story posted this morning. At that time, the Rangers contacted Major League Baseball on that inquiry. The team has no further comment."

Cruz has 130 home runs in his career, and 108 since becoming an everyday player the past four seasons. He lost more than 20 pounds last off-season because of a stomach virus that forced him to leave the Dominican Republic for Miami to receive proper treatment. He spent the rest of the off-season working out in Miami, and was about 10 to 15 pounds lighter than usual at the start of spring training.

Cruz played in a career-high 159 games, but hit only 24 homers after swatting 29 in 124 games in 2011. However, he set career-highs with 45 doubles and 90 RBIs.

Though he hasn't tested positive for PEDs, Cruz could face a 50-game suspension if the allegations in the New Times report are confirmed. If Cruz is banned, Mike Olt could help replace him in right field.

January 26, 2013

The Texas Rangers announced the signing of two veteran players to minor-league deals with invites to big league spring training.

Infielder/outfielder Jeff Baker, who had stints with the Cubs, Tigers and Braves last season, and left-hander Nate Robertson, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2010, will be with the team when they open spring training next month at their facility in Surprise, Ariz.

Baker, 31, has eight years of major league experience. He hit .239 with four home runs and 25 RBIs last year, and is a career .266 batter.

Robertson's signing was known a few days ago, but became official today. The 35-year-old last pitched for the Marlins and Phillies in 2010. He was with the Cubs' and Blue Jays' Triple A affiliates last year, as well as pitching for the independent Wichita Wingnuts.

With the two signings, the Rangers have 59 players set to report to big league camp.

January 17, 2013

Right-hander Neftali Feliz agreed to a one-year deal for $2.9 million plus incentives, avoiding arbitration and leaving outfielder David Murphy as the Rangers’ only remaining arbitration-eligible player.

General manager Daniels was hopeful that Feliz, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t be ready until July or August, and Murphy could reach deals ahead of today’s deadline to exchange figures.

“We’re close enough that even if we don’t reach agreement tomorrow, I’d be surprised if we end up in a hearing room,” Daniels said.

The Rangers and a player haven’t had an arbitration hearing since Lee Stevens lost out in 2000.

January 16, 2013

Left-hander Matt Harrison has parlayed two strong seasons into a contract extension that could keep him with the Rangers through 2018.

He and the Rangers have agreed to a five-year deal worth $55 million that includes an option for a sixth year. The deal wipes out Harrison's final two years of arbitration eligibility and the first three of free agency.

Harrison, who passed his physical Wednesday night, went 18-11 with a 3.29 ERA in 2012 after going 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA in 2011. His wins, ERA and innings (213 1/3) in 2012 are career-highs.

The Rangers now have four members of their 2013 rotation -- Harrison, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando -- under control between four and six years. Not one of them is older than 29.

Harrison gets a $1 million signing bonus and annual salaries worth $5 million, $8 million, $13 million, $13 million and $13 million. The club option is $13.25 million but can escalate to $15.75 million. The club holds the option, with a $2 million buyout, but it becomes a vesting option if Harrison works 200 innings in each of the final three years of the deal.

Texas Rangers closer Joe Nathan has declined an invitation to play for the United States in this year's World Baseball Classic. He had been considering it the past week, and decided against it.

"I respectfully declined," Nathan said in a text message Wednesday. "It was a huge honor to be asked and I feel good, but want to make sure I do right by the Rangers also."

Nathan, 38, posted a 2.80 ERA with 37 saves in 64 1/3 innings and made the American League All-Star team last year in his first season with the Rangers. Nathan, who missed the 2010 season following Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, signed a two-year deal worth $14.5 million prior to last season with a club option for 2014.

Nathan pitched for the U.S. in the inaugural WBC in 2006.

Rangers starter Matt Harrison also declined an invitation to pitch for the U.S.

The Rangers will be represented, though. Third baseman Adrian Beltre and outfielder Nelson Cruz intend to play for the Dominican Republic and shortstop Elvis Andrus with Venezuela. Minor league outfielder Engel Beltre (Spain) and catcher Kellin Deglan (Canada) are also slated to play in the WBC.

January 12, 2013

ARLINGTON -- Lance Berkman has batted in the No. 3 spot more than anywhere else in the lineup in his career. He is expected to go back to the three-hole with the Texas Rangers.

Berkman spent most of the past two seasons in St. Louis as its No. 5 batter, but welcomes the chance to go back to the three-spot.

"It's definitely the spot in the lineup," Berkman said at the Rangers' Fan Fest on Saturday afternoon. "You've got to have your guy there. It does require a different skill set than hitting fourth or fifth. You've got to have someone hitting third that can get on base and drive guys in.

"It's an interesting spot in the lineup because it's the spot that makes the world go around. You need contributions up and down the lineup, but I'm just saying that of all the lineup spots, it's the most critical."

Ian Kinsler is the Texas Rangers’ second baseman. He’s had the job since 2006 and he’ll stay in it going into next season.

Kinsler and Rangers general manager Jon Daniels discussed the possibility of Kinsler moving to first base in mid-December, which would have created an opening for top prospect Jurickson Profar. Kinsler initially said he’d be open to it, but after thinking it over his preference was to stay at second base.

Kinsler and Daniels met before Christmas to discuss the situation, and came to a resolution that Kinsler would remain at second.

“Second base is where I want to play and I still feel I have a lot to give this team in that position,” Kinsler said. “It’s nice that I’m at a position where I think I’ll help us win.”

Kinsler admitted he didn’t play up to his potential last season. He committed 18 errors, tying his career high, and batted only .256 with a career-low .326 on-base percentage.

“When you look on the back of anybody’s baseball card, there’s always a bad year somewhere,” Kinsler said. “My goal now is to rebound and have an MVP-caliber season like I’m expected to have.”

Kinsler said he hasn't given much thought to Profar likely beginning the season at Triple A Round Rock, saying: "I'm just focused on myself. I'm not worrying about anyone else."